2024 Yealands Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley

A north-facing site sitting around 125–160m above sea level. This is built from grapefruit and lemon citrus, hung with passion vine, Alphonse mango and papaya. The yuzu intensity creates fireworks on the palate, with bedazzling acidity and fruit exploding at every turn. There is tension and energy, and this wine has come to the party. A real celebration of Marlborough.

95 points Special Value Shanteh Wale for Halliday Wine Companion, March 2026 

The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Single Block S1 is clean and crisp yet juicy, leaning toward the greener spectrum of the variety. Green pea and capsicum notes meet with lemon, lime and mint in this rounded yet refreshing expression. It's full of tangy, bright acidity and bursts with energy.

90 points Rebecca Gibb for Vinous, March 2025

The vines in Block S1 are among Yealand’s oldest, and stand in poor, wind-blown loess on a north-facing slope roughly four kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. The fruit was pressed shortly after picking and cold settled for 72 hours after which the clear juice was racked into stainless steel for a long, cool fermentation with a select yeast strain. The wine was stabilised and lightly filtered prior to bottling.

This is a vegan friendly wine.

About this producer

Established in 2008 by the late Peter Yealand, his namesake winery has built is business from the ground up with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Their home, the Seaview Vineyard in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, is New Zealand’s largest privately owned vineyard, with vines covering just over 1,000 hectares across 133 blocks. Viticultural work is led by David Sheard, while Anthony Bell has held the keys to the winery part of things since 2021.